+5% Enrollment for CSUMB reposted by Ruth Paget

CSU - Monterey Bay has experience positive growth in enrollment for the third straight year.

The growth in enrollment for this year is 5% according to the following media release from the university:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_personal/1a1d2513aed32179

Good news for the region!

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-writer of 2100+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

Fruit Salad with Homemade Ricotta Cheese Keeps Stomachs Full by Ruth Paget

 I was watching TikTok chef Giovanni Siracusa make ricotta cheese utterly fascinated with the thought of using it to top off a simple winter salad made up of bananas, apples, oranges, and rehydrated raisins to boost the immune system.

Siracusa adds lemon juice to warmed milk with lemon juice and adds salt.  Then, he scoops out the solids with a strainer.  The solids are freshly made ricotta cheese.  

I have posted a link to Siracusa’s video below:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPL79vNFD/

If you do not want to make ricotta cheese, you can use yogurt or cottage cheese as well.

Bon appetit!

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-writer of 2100+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

Fioli Gardens Holiday Cheer is Here reposted by Ruth Paget

Fioli Gardens outside San Francisco, California has organized a lovely Celtic inspired holiday show for 2026.

More information about this event and ticket purchase details follow:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_personal/1a1d2271b528113c

Happy Holidays!

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

French Leek-Potato Soup Made and Filmed by Florence Paget reposted by Ruth Paget

Warm French Leek and Potato Soup for Winter Made and Filmed by Florence Paget reposted by Ruth Paget

My daughter Florence Paget made warm French leek and potato soup for winter and filmed herself doing it.

The following TikTok video captures the soup making process with narration:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTPhA5Yhg/

This soup tastes great with toasted or day-old baguette bread.

Bon Appetit!

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

UChicago-Taiwan Exchange Program Gives Researchers from many Field Multiple Ways to Approach Research reposted by Ruth Paget

The cultural differences that researchers from the University of Chicago and Taiwan hold strengthen research skills for both groups by bringing multiple methods to forming hypotheses and problem solving as part of their UChicago exchange program experience.

Researchers crossed the ocean in both directions as part of this experience.

The UChicago-Taiwan 2026 Exchange Program activity report follows from UChicago News:

https://news.uchicago.edu/story/taiwan-and-chicago-students-say-yes-unfamiliar?mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGlb8kyvXIEh0jGeooLCXn_T_akznRJNWU9yxGd6HdUb3F0KChFK4HTt3lko9sQ0nlfq0bbXCzrg5YcOikncKHyMvC-_yYVp35W8J0q9Z2MVmW6qRU

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Zgermany + 5 other Kindle books

STEM Conference for Girls is November 14, 2026 in Salinas, California

 The Monterey County Weekly Online Calendar lists a STEM Conference for Girls at Hartnell College in Salinas, California on November 14, 2026.

This event is free, but requires registration.

Event information and registration details follow:

https://www.montereycountynow.com/events/?utm_content=community-007&utm_source=Monterey+County+Weekly+Newsletter&utm_campaign=7514ccbfac-EMAIL_CALENDAR_2026-0108_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-4ac1058259-424991269#/details/eyh-stem-conference-career-fair-for-girls-in-grades-510/20258438/2026-11-14T09

Have fun!

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French armchair travel and culture games

-writer of 2100+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory blogs

Cool Weather Carmel, California Day Trip Suggestions by Ruth Paget

Cool Weather Carmel, California Day Trip Suggestions by Ruth Paget 

Over the past three decades that I have lived in Monterey – Salinas area, I have put together several resources for day trips to Carmel, California for fun and educational outings. 

**Books to Read to Enhance Your Carmel Visit

-The Comstock Fairy Tale Cottages of Carmel by Joanne Matthewson 

-Taking Tea: The Essential Guide to Brewing, Serving, and Entertaining with Teas from Around the World by Andrea Israel 

-Tea: History Terroirs Varieties by Kevin Gascoyne, François Marchand, Jasmin Desharnais, and Hugo Mérici 

-The Book of Cheese by Liz Thorpe 

-The Great Book of Chocolate: The Chocolate Lover’s Guide with more than 50 Recipes by David Lebovitz 

**Carmel Touring Games developed by Ruth Paget 

-Labyrinth Walk with Pastry in Carmel Valley 

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/10/labyrinth-walk-with-pastry-in-carmel.html

-Fashion District Family Outing in Carmel

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/10/fashion-district-family-outing-in.html

-La Pérouse the Explorer Game 

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/04/la-perouse-explorer-historical-fashion.html

King Louis XVI of France commissioned the Comte de la Pérouse to do a naval scientific expedition around the world. One of La Pérouse’s stops was Carmel where he visited several sites. I have listed these in this game for a historical day trip to Carmel. 

**Food and Beverage Games developed by Ruth Paget 

-Darjeeling: The India Tea Game 

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/10/darjeeling-india-tea-game-created-by.html

-Ballotin: The French Chocolate Buying and Selling Game 

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/09/ballotin-french-chocolate-buying-and.html

-Camembert: Cheese Games 

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2021/07/camembert-cheese-games-created-by-ruth.html

-Vienna: Coffee Games 

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2021/07/vienna-coffee-games-created-by-ruth.html

-Matcha: The Japanese Tea Game

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/10/matcha-japanese-tea-game-created-by.html?m=1

-Sommelier: The Wine Facts Society Game

https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2019/02/sommelier-wine-facts-society-game.html 

**Restaurants for light meals in Carmel, California 

-Tuck Box – for tea, brunch, and some souvenirs like loose tea and teapots 

-Little Napoli – for Neapolitan pizza and/or southern Italian cuisine 

-Vesuvio – roof top dining. My daughter Florence Paget likes to go here with her friends for cocktails and appetizers during happy hour. 

-De Tierra Tasting Room – offers Napa-style tastings if desired. For lunch, I like pinot gris and the cheese, fruit, and charcuterie board.

-Nielsen Brothers Market – for sandwiches and deli items 

-Bagel Bakery - for bagel sandwiches and coffee

-Earthbound Farm – for farm-to-table salads, soups, and sandwiches out in the country along Carmel Valley Road 

**Interesting Stores 

-River House Books 

-Cottage of Sweets 

-Pieces of Heaven (chocolate shop) 

-Jean de Luz (Basque store) 

-The Cheese Shop 

-Carmel Valley Roasting Company

-Gold Leaf Spices and Teas 

-Lafayette Bakery 

-Thinker Toys 

-Pilgrim’s Way Bookstore 

Carmel is a small town that is densely packed with interesting things to do. 

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe's Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage war games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French armchair travel and culture games

-writer of 2100+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory blogs